Stand for children s clothing



J. M. KIRK March 24, 1964 STAND FOR CHILDREN'S CLOTHING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 10, 1962 Josephine M. Kirk I N VEN TOR BY 2 19%,,

all

March 24, KIRK STAND FOR CHILDREN'S CLOTHING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 10, 1962 Fig. 2

Josephine M. Kirk INVENTOR.

BY MM M1):

United States Patent 3,126,237 STAND FOR CHILDRENS CLOTHWG Josephine M. Kirk, 8200 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Fla. Filed Jan. 10, 1962, Ser. No. 165,449 8 Claims. (Cl. 312-204) This invention relates to a novel portable stand which is expressly, but not necessarily, designed and uniquely constructed for use in a small childs bedroom or nursery and which is primarily intended to teach and train the child user how to best handle articles of clothing and such things in an orderly, neat and well-kept manner.

The problem of promoting interest and effectively teaching a child to put away and hang up articles of clothing not in use is a problem indeed. To cope with the problem and aptly solve it is a general objective of the instant endeavor. To the end desired a fanciful and fascinating multipurpose stand has been devised and put to use. The stand is simple in construction, compact and convenient, and its facilities are systematically arranged for orderly use and otherwise organized to successfully achieve the results and purposes for which it is intended.

In carrying out a practical embodiment which has proved out to be efficient and successful, the stand is characterized, in the main, by an ornamental and eyeappealing figure, for example, the amusing clown herein disclosed. However, the clown concept is not limitary for, obviously, any suitable desirable figure, such as a Santa Claus, nurse, an animal, duck, chicken, or any one of a number of attractive objects may be used to advantage. In any event, the overall concept has to do with an appropriately attractive figure mounted atop a base, said base having a number of purposes and the figure being not merely toy-like and ornamental but highly useful as a support for facilities such as a hook for clothes hangers, a hat rack, pocket for small items, and a unique bag or sack for soiled things such as would ordinarily be deposited in the family hamper.

In one embodiment the base is '01. hollow box-like construction and provides a cabinet or compartment for a sliding drawer adapted for use in systematically storing a shoeshine kit, clothes brush, whiskbroom, and good grooming things in general. Also, the top of the base provides a convenient ledge for shoes. Then, too, it is grooved in a special manner to accommodatingly anchor and support the figure-panel and, in addition, a panel bracing bracket, whereby to provide a knockdown con struction for packing, handling and storing. Alternative- -ly, the base can be a simple suitably grooved fiat board, as will be hereinafter comprehended.

The panel is marginally delineated to represent or imitate the character or object desired and dressed and decorated to appeal to a childs imagination. The bag or sack, one having a gaudy pattern, is hung or suspended to harmonize with the image and effect desired. More in particular, an entrance hole or opening in the panel enables the youngster to deposit soiled things in the bag thus isolating the same from the family wash. The front pocket is for socks, panties, hankies, gloves, and small things. Further, the panel provides a shield and hides or conceals the rack means on the reverse sid Then, too, a bank is provided to encourage savings as a monetary reward for interest, neatness and good habits. While toy-like in construction and useful as a room ornament, the invention is practical and useful in training a small tot to acquire the practice of taking care of personal possessions and developing commendable and praiseworthy habits. Having done so the child educates and familiarizes himself to the forthcoming use of a clothes tree and the family clothes closet much to his ultimate benefit.

Learning that carelessness and lack of interest is an undesirable trait and that attention to little things is rewarding the user takes an interest in his room and pleases himself in a. satisfying Way. Incentives to achieve this aim are engendered by the very nature of the novel stand in that the useful function thereof, the names of its component parts and the attraction and appeal inherent in the innovations are cleverly incorporated therein.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequent-1y apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE '1 is a View in perspective of a clothing stand constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing the same ready for use;

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevational view;

FIGURE 3 is a section, with parts in elevation, taken approximately on the plane of the central vertical line 33 of FIGURE 2 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIGURE 4 is an exaggerated detail view showing the mouth of the aforementioned soiled clothes bag or sack and the manner in which it is detachably but accessibly mounted.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary rear perspective view showing a modification of the overall concept.

Referring now to FEGS. '1-4 of the drawings the numeral 6 designates a portable self-standing base for the accompanying upright means 8, more particularly, the means which is referred to as an ornamental or decorative figure and more explicitly as a panel.

It will be noted that the base is of hollow rectangular box-like form and embodies a horizontal top wall 10, a vertical back wall 12 and duplicate end walls 14. There is no bottom wall as is evident from FIGURE 3 and no front wall. This construction provides a compartment or cabinet for the slidably mounted drawer 16. The drawer may be mounted on suitable guides (not shown). The median portion of the top wall is provided with a longitudinal open-ended channel or groove 18 FIG. 1) which preferably extends the full length of the top wall. Also a companion transverse groove or channel 20 is provided and opens through the central portion of the rear edge of the top wall. The last-named groove or channel 25 serves to accommodate the horizontal member 22 of a substantially triangular bracket 24. The bracket also includes a vertical member 26' (FIG. 3) and a diagonal brace 28. The several members are suitably fastened together to provide a unit. This bracket is removably mounted atop the base and rises perpendicularly therefrom, being held in place by screws or equivalent fasteners 3d which are accessible through the open bottom when the drawer '16 is removed. The numeral 32 designates a horizontal dowel one end of which is supported in a suitably shaped block 34, these components 32 and 34 providing stop and retaining means for the area 56 (FIG. 1), this area constituting a ledge for convenient placement and retention of the child users shoes (not shown).

Taking up now the upright means, more particularly the figure means 8 this comprises a vertical panel 38 made of suitable material. The panel is marginally delineated to define the figure which is to be represented or imitated. As before mentioned the front elevational appearance of this figure will vary in keeping with the choice or selection by the manufacturer. For convenience of presentation here the figure is a clown. The head of the clown is denoted at 4-9. Desired facial features therefore are appropriately provided. The nose, for example, as at 42 may be a semispherical object, for instance one-half of a red rubber ball held in place by a tack or fastener 44 in the manner shown in FIG. 3. The mouth is provided with a coin slot 46 which will be referred to later. The body portion 43 is appropriately decorated and includes among other features a horseshoe stick pin and a row of buttons 52. There is also an oversize button fastened as at 5-4 and cooperating with the suspenders 56 to give the illusion of holding up the trousers 58. The leg portions 69 are joined integrally with a horizontally elongated bottom member representing feet 62 said member being seated in the keyway or groove 13. The numeral 64 designates a relatively large patch pocket with an elastic normally open mouth portion 66. At the juncture of the neck and head a gaudy bow tie 68 is provided and appropriately fastened in place. Attention is now directed to the soiled clothes collecting sack or bag 78, this being of a size proportional with the one illustrated in the drawing and which permits the bottom of the bag to come to rest atop the area 72 of the top wall of the base. With reference to FLIG. 4 it will be seen that the panel is provided (at the left in FIG. 1) with a relatively large opening or hole 74 encompassed by a suitably attached ring-like collar 76. The collar is marginally grooved to provide a bead 78 and this construction permits the mouth portion St) of the bag to be drawn through the hole forwardly and removably fastened in place. The terminal of the mouth is provided with an elastic hem 82 which is seated in the groove and held by the bead 78.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3' it will be noted that the numeral 84 designates a vertical centrally disposed upright, more particularly, a strip member which constitutes a mounting and also a brace for the panel. It is suitably fastened in place, in a manner to be described, and is approximately commensurate in height with the height of the figure. At the upper portion a suitable socket 86 serves to accommodate a readily attachable and detachable cup or the like 88 which constitutes a bank and whose open end is in registry with the coin slot 46. The numeral 90 designates a hook which is detachably or otherwise connected at 92 to the upper end of the brace 84 and which serves to accommodate garment or coat hangers for suspending articles of clothing in a seemingly obvious manner. The numeral 94 designates a diagonal suitably attached dowel which constitutes a hat rack. The lower centralized portion of the brace 84 is provided with an open bottom groove 96 which constitutes a keyway for reception and retention of the vertical portion of the aforementioned attachable and detachable rigidifyin-g brace 24-. It follows that the figure or panel is applicable and removable and provides the desired knockdown construction for packaging, shipping, handling and storing. An extra screw or equivalent fastener 98 ('FIG. 3) is used to assist in assembling the component parts.

This invention functions to conceal articles of clothing, minimizes an objectionable cluttered look in the youngsters room, separates his soiled articles from the family wash, prevents him from rummaging through dresser drawers, and facilitates use of articles laid out in advance for school, church and so on. The design and attraction properties add to the desirable atmosphere of the room, with the result that its presence in the room is welcomed by all concerned. The construction is such that the basic theme of the concept may be effectually resorted to whatever character is used for the fun pro voking figure. Consequently, the adaptation revealed is one which may and should be endorsed by manufacturers and retailers alike.

It is to be pointed out here that both surfaces 36 and 72 (FIG. 1 in particular) may be used to accommodatingly support the youngsters shoes. With reference now to FIG. 5 which shows a modification in construction it will be evident that it is within the purview of the invention to provide special means for racking shoes. But before dwelling on this aspect of the matter a detailed description of FIG. 5 will now be presented.

Having compared FIG. 5 with the other figures and particularly FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive it will be evident that the base 6 need not necessarily be in the form of a box. Instead, a simple board or plate (a panel not to be confused with the vertical panel) maybe used as at 6A. The forward edge portion of the base is provided with a lengthwise groove or channel 18A to seat a reinforcing cleat 19 which is secured across the rear side of the foot means 62A at the lower end of the figure panel 8A, more specifically the panel 38A. As in the already described form of the invention the panel 38A is reinforced on the rear side by a vertical reinforcing strip 84A provided at its lower end with a vertical keying groove 96A for the adjacent vertical edge portion of the triangular brace 24A. The brace in this instance is a one-piece construction and the bottom thereof is suitably mounted atop the central portion of the base plate 6A. It will of course be understood that the figure panel 8A will be constructed in the same manner as the panel 8 in FIG. 1 and will be provided with the necessary accessories on the front and rear portions thereof. Therefore, both forms of the invention are basically the same except that in this arrangement the member 19 serves as a reinforcing key and permits the foot portion 62A to rest against the forward edge of the base plate 6A. Both surfaces 36A and 72A may be used for temporary storage of shoes and the like. Preferably a box 106 is mounted atop the surface 36A and has an inclined bottom I02 and upstanding vertical enclosing walls 1%.

It is believed that a careful consideration of the specification in conjunction with the views of the drawings will enable the reader to obtain a clear and comprehensive understanding of the invention, its construction, the features and advantages, and the best mode of using the same. Therefore, a more extended description is thought to be unnecessary.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A portable ornamental clothes stand for use in a small childs nursery or bedroom comprising: a toy-like figure imitative of a given character or thing, support means for maintaining the figure in a self-standing position, said figure being provided with clothes racking means at the back thereof, with a pocket on the front, and a sack serving as a hamper for soiled things, said sack being located and suspended from the back side of the figure and marginal portions of the figure adjacent to and at the front of said sack being cut away and uniquely and expressly delineated so that a major portion of the suspended sack is exposed and viewable from the front side of said figure, the mouth of the sack being constantly open and accessible by way of a registering entrance opening in the figure.

2. A stand comprising: a hollow box-like member serving as a base and having a drawer therein, the top of the base having a longitudinal keying groove and a lateral auxiliary keying groove, a bracket removably mounted in the auxiliary groove and having a component thereof rising perpendicularly from said top, a vertical panel having a bottom portion thereof keyed removably in the first-named groove, said panel provided at the back thereof, with a lengthwise strip member providing a rigidity for the panel, the lower portion of said strip member having a vertical keying groove receiving a cooperating vertical component part of said bracket, said panel being fashioned into an ornamental figure, a clown for example, a soiled clothes receiver detachably mounted on said panel, and facilities on the face of the panel for placement and retention of miscellaneous articles of clothing and things which are to be conventionally arranged for ready accessibility and use.

3. For use in a childs bedroom, a multipurpose stand designed and adapted to serve as a clothes tree and comprising a portable self-standing horizontal base, an upright attached at its lower end to and rising vertically from an axial portion of said base, said upright being readily attachable and detachable and of a cross-section considerably less than the plan dimension of said base, a vertical panel having a median portion of its rearward side superimposed upon and secured to said upright and of a height commensurate with the height of the upright, said panel being marginally delineated to imitate and represent a desired figure and having an obverse side which is attractively decorated and finished to provide a figure which is appealing to the average prospective user of the stand, the reverse surface of said upright and panel being provided with garment hangers substantially shielded from view by said panel, means for temporary placement and storage of soiled things such as are, when emptied from said means, designed and adapted for placement and retention in a hamper preparatory to washing and ironing, said thus-provided facilities functioning in a desirable manner to instill in the child user the habit of putting away and taking care of articles of apparel and the like in an orderly and approved manner.

4. For use in a childs bedroom, a multipurpose clothes stand adapted to take the place of a clothes tree and designed and adapted to instill in a child user the habit of putting away and taking care of articles of apparel including shoes comprising: a self-standing horizontal portable base, a vertical panel having a lower end portion thereof resting atop and removably attached to said base and rising perpendicularly therefrom, said panel being marginally delineated and having its obverse surface decoratively constructed and finished to imitate a given figure toy, means provided on the upper reverse side of said panel and normally shielded by the panel and designed and adapted for hanging up clothing which is not at the time being used or is being hung there for ready use upon arising from ones bed, said panel being provided with a hole and said hole being positioned oifcenter adjacent to one vertical marginal edge of the panel and intermediate the upper and lower portions of the panel and being designed and adapted for the passage therethrough of soiled articles of apparel, handkerchiefs and the like, and a sack designed and adapted for temporary reception and retention of said soiled things, said sack being located at the reverse side of said panel and having a normally open mouth portion, said mouth portion being aligned and registering with said hole and being detachably connected to said panel for ready removal when the sack has been loaded and the things therein transferred to a regular hamper, said sack being made from attractive launderable material and characterized by a gaudy pattern in keeping and in harmony with the characteristics of the figure represented by said panel.

5. The structure defined in claim 4 wherein said base comprises a box-like hollow cabinet provided with a sliding drawer for miscellaneous items and things, and wherein the area of the top of the base is ample in relation to the cross-section of the panel to provide ledge means for storage of shoes and the like when the shoes have been cleaned and thus readied for use.

6. The structure defined in claim 4 and wherein said sack is of a length that the bottom thereof resides upon and is supported by an underlying portion of said base, and the marginal portion of said panel between the level of the base and the level of said hole being cut away and specially delineated to uncover and expose a substantial portion of said sack.

7. A multipurpose toy-type good-habit-building clothes stand and hamper for use primarily in a child users bedroom comprising a base having a horizontal flat top, a median portion of which is provided with an openended lengthwise keying groove, an upright perpendicular to said base and having a lower portion removably joined to the base, said lower portion being provided with a brace which is attached thereto and also to said base, a figure toy comprising a panel vertically disposed and having a median rearward side attached to said upright and having a lower portion removably keyed in said groove, said panel, upright and bracket being relative to each other and to the top side of said base, the major area portions of the base available for the temporary placement thereon and storage of readily accessible shoes and things, said upright being provided on an upper portion thereof to the reverse side of the upper portion of the panel with means tor hanging up ready-to-use garments, said panel constituting a shield and substantially concealing the garments when the observer is facing the stand and observing the obverse side of the panel, and a colorful sack constituting a hamper for temporary placement and retention of soiled garments and things, and means cooperatively connecting the intake mouth of the sack with a predetermined portion of said panel.

8. The structure defined in claim 7 and wherein said panel is marginally delineated to represent a clown, the obverse side of the clown being provided with ornamental and useful facilities, said panel being provided off-center and adjacent one cutaway marginal portion with a hole, a ring-like collar afiixed to the obverse side of the panel and marginally encircling said hole and having a peripheral retaining bead, the mouth of the sack passing forwardly through the hole and having a hem with an elastic member therein, said elastic hem being removably applied to the bead and temporarily and detachably connected with said collar.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,472,804 Mack Nov. 6, 1923 1,804,069 Stover May 5, 1931 2,581,675 Lefebvre Jan. 8, 1952 3,010,225 Hale Nov. 28, 1961 

1. A PORTABLE ORNAMENTAL CLOTHES STAND FOR USE IN A SMALL CHILD''S NURSEY OR BEDROOM COMPRISING: A TOY-LIKE FIGURE IMITIATIVE OF A GIVEN CHARACTER OR THING, SUPPORT MEANS FOR MAINTAINING THE FIGURE IN A SELF-STANDING POSITION, SAID FIGURE BEING PROVIDED WITH CLOTHES RACKING MEANS AT THE BACK THEREOF, WITH A POCKET ON THE FRONT, AND A SACK SERVING AS A "HAMPER" FOR SOILED THINGS, SAID SACK BEING LOCATED AND SUSPENDED FROM THE BACK SIDE OF THE FIGURE AND MARGINAL PORTIONS OF THE FIGURE ADJACENT TO AND AT THE FRONT OF SAID SACK BEING CUT AWAY AND UNIQUELY AND EXPRESSLY DELINEATED SO THAT A MAJOR PORTION OF THE SUSPENDED SACK IS EXPOSED AND VIEWABLE FROM THE FRONT SIDE OF SAID FIGURE, THE MOUTH OF THE SACK BEING CONSTANTLY OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE BY WAY OF A REGISTERING ENTRANCE OPENING IN THE FIGURE. 